OK, so this is all very off topic and self-indulgent, so if you’re here for some nice pics of cushions or something then it’s probably best to go now.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve not been very happy with my weight since the Minx was born (and was hardly thrilled with it beforehand, to be honest).
I was doing Weight Watchers at the beginning of the year and managed to lose a bit, but I do find all the weighing and measuring and logging food etc to be very tedious, and I really didn’t feel it was improving my already warped relationship with food.
I’ve recently been reading a book by Paul McKenna called I Can Make You Thin which I’ve been finding really interesting.
He’s very ‘anti-diet’ and instead suggests following four simple rules.
– Whenever you’re hungry, EAT. I’ve been trying this for two or three days and it’s a revelation to be able to go and find food whenever you feel hungry, instead of trying to hold out until the next mealtime.
– Eat what you want, not what you think you should. This is amazingly difficult to get my head round. So many foods are labelled ‘bad’ in my head. But I’ve been trying to consciously examine what my body feels it needs when I’m hungry, and not eat stuff I don’t really like and which isn’t emotionally satisfying just for the sake of it, or else eat treat foods just because I can.
– Eat CONSCIOUSLY and enjoy every mouthful. Again, really difficult for me. I’m always picking stuff out of the fridge or eating on the run or at my computer without really noticing what goes in my mouth.
– When you think you are full, STOP eating. The most difficult one of all. I actually eat quite a good diet, with very little junk and processed food. But I do eat the most enormous portions (not helped by living with someone who’s 6’2″ and naturally skinny). I just love my food. So now I’m trying to pay attention to when my body feels full, and it’s scary just how small portions have to be.
And that’s it. The rest of the book is full of NLP stuff and before-and-afters and also includes a self-hypnosis tape, which is relaxing if nothing else. He’s also put out a 90 Day Success Journal, which is probably a bit of a waste of money as it mostly encourages you to record whether you followed the rules with a daily inspirational thought, but I’ve got it anyway as I like the thought of having a bit more focus for 90 days.
In addition I’ve finally managed to score a Wii Fit which, on the first day of using, appears to be much, much more fun than going to gym, though I don’t quite understand why. So I’m going to commit to playing on the Wii Fit for between 30 and 60 minutes every day for the next 90 days to get some basic exercise in.
And that’s it. I’m doing this post to challenge myself to stick to this regime for the next 90 days. I’ll post updates every couple of weeks (Paul McKenna suggests weighing yourself only every two weeks if that) and hopefully some gobsmackingly gorgeous AFTER shots at the end of September when the 90 days is up.
This bit is absolutely not self-indulgent. In fact it’s probably one of the scarier things I’ve ever done. But here are some BEFORE pics of me in tight-fitting clothes, online for all the world to see.
GOOD for you. Everything you wrote sounds reasonable and doable. Good luck! 🙂
Yeay for you! We finally got our mits on a Wii Fit this week too so I tried it out earlier – rather sceptically as I’m not a fan of consoles or the gym – and its such fun! I’m aiming to loose a stone for the autumn (and another one by Christmas) so I’ll be there in spirit with you! The Paul McKenna book sounds interesting, might have to give that a try.
Good luck :~)
Ha, I’m sat here nodding at my head at what you write …. whilst shovelling Kettle Chips into my mouth! It’s gone midnight, I should be in bed, I certainly shouldn’t be eating – I’m not hungry and I’m not sure my body’s asking for these.
Good luck Paola – sounds like you’re on the right track and feeling determined (which is always at least half the battle).
You’re pics remind me of myself, I’m very interested in how the wii fit works for you as I cannot wait to get one myself. And I agree, weight watchers is extremely tedious, I’m only half-heartedly doing it.
Good luck!
I also live with a 6′ plus man and I can match him mouthful for mouthful (unfortunately).
I have also been trying the “only eat when hungry” strategy – and it seems so simple – but WOW!
I never weigh myself, but the tight jeans are less tight after a couple months.
Also, as Wallingford dwellers, do we not get extra points for being neighbors to and having to resist trophy, molly moon and art of the table?
(I will never resist art of the table)
Thanks all for being so encouraging 🙂 I am slightly obsessing about the Wii Fit at the moment, so hopefully that will continue.
eM – I have never been to Art of the Table! (I can normally never get further than Tilth). You see, I’m the sort of person who gets fab restaurant recommendations on a blogpost about weightloss..
But good news that the ‘only eat when hungry’ strategy works though… it does seem hugely obvious…
You go girl! McKenna’s method is a take off from Judy Wardell’s book from the 1980s, Thin Within: How to Eat and Live Like a Thin Person. It’s a great book and you can get used copies on Half.com very cheaply. Good luck! xo, suzy
Ooh, good luck with your new regime and can’t wait to hear the results. I’m following the Slimming World eating plan which is OK – nothing is forbidden and there’s no weighing but it does make you think about what you’re guzzling – and I’ve lost about a stone in 4 weeks. Coveting your WiiFit, by the way!
Just want to say cheers to you for working to build a healthier relationship with food, and not just try to starve yourself. Best of luck, I can’t wait to see updates on your great successes! XX Brook
Go for it girlfriend and power to you for posting it…i think just “think” why you are eating and if you are TRULY hungry…! then drink 2 glasses of water…might help. I know you will do it…xxx
Thanks again! I still can’t get off the Wii Fit – it’s very fun.
Suzy, interesting what you have to say about Paul McKenna. The rest of his stuff is a rehash of US self-help gurus (such as Tony Robbins) repackaged for the UK market, so it stands to reason that he will have copied the weightloss stuff from somewhere too. I will look out for that book.
I very much admire your McKenna-inspired plan. It sounds right to me. I struggled with weight issues all my life, and finally decided to just let all the guilt and angst go and eat what I want. If I truly tune in to what my body needs I find that I eat very well and don’t gain weight. Also, exercise makes a big difference, although I have never learned to love it. Perhaps a Wii Fit would help. It seems like the more hysterical American society gets about being thin, the fatter we all become.
Good luck with it. Dying to see the end result.
Just found your blog and wanted to comment. My husband and I switched our eating habits (with much research, on my part) some time ago. He went from waist 34 to barely 29. And me, I gained weight when i quit smoking. I shot up to 120 lbs after I quit, and now I’m 90. I know 120 doesn’t sound so much, but I’m 5’1 so every lb felt like ten. May I suggest cutting out anything that has high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup or anything modified in the ingredients. Just doing that much will help drastically. Best of luck.
Aw. That’s too honest for even me to be anything but supportive about. And even at times when you aren’t happy with your weight you always manage to look pretty and glam, which is a bit unfair, really…
Strictly Come Exercising hasn’t done the trick, then?
Dxx
Deri, are you ill?
Hey, I’ve just got back from Vancouver and I’m just catching up. Good for you!! How’s it going with the Wii fit – they look great. I need to lose at least 3 stone (I seem to have reverse anorexia. I think I’m thin and I’m really not – bloody Canadian bathrooms and their giant mirrors!!). Let us know how you get on.
Oh dear, I seem to have that reverse anorexia too…
Congratulations on your journey to weight loss and a healthy new lifestyle. The Wii fit is some much fun and I hope that you enjoy it and see results!
Thanks for this very intresting keep it up.
Thanks for this very intresting keep it up.
Thanks for this very intresting keep it up.
Great blog! Nice layout, a lot of useful information.
Mindset about weight loss is very important.
Also, learn to listen to your body.
Physical hunger usually occurs below your neck, emotional hunger is in your head (above your neck)
Jenny http://www.freequickweightloss.com
good 4 u keep it going and keep us posted on the progress
-Sally
I’m going to buy wii and wii fit for losing weight too. I hope it works.
glad I came across this site good read. bookmarked.
Great blog and nice article. Wii is great. I used to have one. Playing Wii Sports can be tiring but it is a good exercise. Haha.
A lot of great information you have here very informative. I will deff be back to check out the site some more
Thanks all for being so encouraging 🙂 I am slightly obsessing about the Wii Fit at the moment, so hopefully that will continue.
I love the information you have here. It will deff help me out with the current issues i’m having.
Really intresting read. Enjoyed the post. Keep it up!
Very enjoyable post. Will be checking back for updates.
hi!It is a very interesting article.Great analysis of Fit losses.It was a very informative.while using slimming pills,we will get original fitness.
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Wii Fit will encourage activity and health, but it will not provide a back-breaking, “No pain no gain!” style American workout, however. In fact, it does not even give the user a specific regimen. We are left with freedom, maybe too much freedom, to choose from the various yoga poses, balance games, and strength and cardio exercises.
Wow, I’ve been searching the net for some information related to a new site I’m starting in a week or so. Would you mind if I posted this article with author credit and a link back here? If not the full article just a teaser? Feel free to e-mail me and let me know. Thanks!